Adaptive exercise device with independent motion

ABSTRACT

An adaptive exercise device provides a foot motion in which horizontal and vertical components thereof are mechanically decoupled and independent. The device includes a primary guide assembly, and a secondary guide assembly, and a first and a second foot link, each having a foot pad portion for receiving and supporting a user&#39;s foot. The primary guide assembly directs the foot pad portions along a first path of travel having a horizontal component of motion. The secondary guide assembly directs the foot pad portions along a second path of travel having a vertical component of motion. Further disclosed is a method of exercising through the use of the adaptive exercise device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/453,751 filed Mar. 17, 2011, entitled “Adaptive Exercise Devicewith Independent Motion”, the contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to exercise devices, and more particularly toexercise devices which simulate a running and stepping motion. Inparticular, the invention relates to an adaptive exercise deviceconfigured and operable to mechanically decouple the vertical andhorizontal components of the foot and leg motion so as to allow a userto independently control them during the use of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of exercise devices which attempt to simulate arunning and stepping motion in which a user's feet and legs travel alonga path having vertical and horizontal components of motion. One group ofsuch devices is termed “adaptive exercise devices”, and they allow auser to vary the degree of foot and leg motion while the device is inuse. This invention is directed to a particular type of adaptiveexercise device which decouples the vertical and horizontal componentsof motion so that the horizontal component of foot and leg motion isindependent of the vertical component of the motion of the foot and leg.

As will be explained hereinbelow, the present invention allows a user toimplement a solely vertical foot and leg motion or a solely horizontalfoot and leg motion, or a foot and leg motion which is a blended ratioof the two components. The system of the present invention is of simplemechanical construction, and hence is reliable, easy to maintain, andlow in cost. These and other advantages will be apparent from thedrawings, discussion, and description which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is an adaptive exercise device which includes a frame which isconfigured to be supported on a floor, a primary guide assembly, and asecond guide assembly. The device further includes a first and secondfoot link, each foot link having a foot pad portion configured toreceive a user's foot. Each foot link is disposed so as to engage theprimary guide assembly which in turn is configured and operable todirect the foot pad portions of the foot links along a first path oftravel having a horizontal component of motion. The foot links arefurther disposed so as to engage the secondary guide assembly which isconfigured and operable to direct the foot pad portions of each of saidfoot links along a second path of travel having a vertical component ofmotion. The device is configured so that the motion of the foot padsalong the first path of travel is mechanically independent of the motionof the foot pads along the second path of travel. In one embodiment ofthe invention, the primary guide assembly includes at least one primarytrack which is configured and operable to engage and direct the firstand second foot links along the first path of travel. The at least oneprimary track may be inclined relative to a horizontal support surfaceupon which the device is resting, and the degree of inclination may bemade to be adjustable.

In other embodiments, the primary guide assembly includes a first and asecond swing arm which are pivotally supported by the frame. Each swingarm is engaged in mechanical communication with a respective one of thefoot links so as to at least partially support its respective foot linksas it moves along the first path of travel. The swing arms in thisembodiment may be pivotally coupled to their respective foot links at aconnection point; and when the foot links move along the first path oftravel, the connection points define an arc. In this embodiment, thesecondary guide assembly may include a first and a second secondaryguide track which engage respective foot links; and the secondary trackmay be curved so that the curvature of those secondary trackscorresponds geometrically to the curvature of the arc defined by theconnection points between the swing arms and their respective footlinks.

The secondary guide assembly may, in some embodiments, include a firstand second track disposed in a parallel relationship with one another,together with a control system which is operative to move said first andsecond tracks along respective paths of travel having equal and oppositevertical components of motion while maintaining the secondary tracks ina parallel relationship. In this embodiment, the foot links in turnengage respective ones of said first and second secondary tracks so asto be displaceable along the length thereof so that when the secondarycontrol system moves the secondary tracks along their respective pathsof travel having the vertical component of motion, that verticalcomponent of motion is communicated to a respective foot link so as tomove the foot pad portion of that foot link along a second path oftravel having the vertical component of motion.

In yet other embodiments, the secondary guide assembly may include afirst and second swing arm, each being coupled to a respective one ofthe foot links. The secondary guide assembly will, in such embodiments,further include a control system which is operative to move the firstand second swing arms along respective paths of travel having equal andopposite vertical components of motion so that when the secondarycontrol system moves the swing arms along their respective paths oftravel having the vertical component of motion, that vertical componentof motion is communicated to a respective foot link so as to move thefoot pad portion along a second path of travel. In some of suchembodiments, the swing arms of the secondary guide assembly are eachpivotally coupled to their respective foot links at a connection pointwhereby when the foot links move along the first path of travel, theconnection point defines an arc. In these embodiments, the primary guideassembly includes at least one curved guide track which engages the footlinks. This at least one track is curved so that the curvature thereofcorresponds geometrically to the curvature of the arc defined by theconnection points.

Also disclosed herein is a method of exercise comprising the use of thedevice of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of an exercise device in accord withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1 better illustrating thesecondary guide assembly thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of an exercise device as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating further components thereof;

FIG. 4A is a side view of a portion of an exercise device in accord withthe present invention illustrating an alternative secondary guideassembly;

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 4A illustrating thesecondary guide assembly;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of another embodiment of exercisedevice in accord with the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a side view of portions of a further embodiment of exercisedevice in accord with the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a side view of an inverted embodiment of the exercise deviceof FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a side view showing a further embodiment of exercise deviceof the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a front view of the exercise device of FIG. 7A betterillustrating the secondary guide assembly thereof; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration showing various paths of foot motionwhich may be achieved through the use of the adaptive exercise device ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be implemented in a number of differentconfigurations and will be explained with regard to some specificembodiments. It is to be understood that other modifications andvariations are within the scope of this invention and will be readilyapparent to those of skill in the art in view of the teaching of thisdisclosure.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show portions of one particular embodiment 10 of exercisedevice of the present invention. It will be noted that for clarity ofillustration, certain portions of the exercise device 10 are notillustrated in these figures. Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown aside view of the device 10. As will be seen, the device includes a frame12 which is configured to support various of the remaining components ofthe device on a horizontal support surface such as a floor. The frame 12is typically fabricated from a relatively durable material such as ametal.

The device 10 of FIG. 1 further includes a primary guide, which, as willbe explained hereinbelow, engages and supports a pair of foot links. Inthis embodiment the primary guide comprises a track assembly 14 definingat least one primary track member, and may comprise a single wide rampor a pair of separate primary tracks. As shown herein, the primary guidetrack assembly 14 is inclined relative to the floor upon which it issupported, although in other instances it may be parallel to the flooror in particular instances may even be defined by the surface of thefloor. It is to be noted that the primary guide track assembly may bemade adjustable so that its angular relationship to a support surfacecan be varied.

The device 10 includes a secondary guide assembly 16 which in thisembodiment includes a pair of secondary tracks 18 a and 18 b which aredisposed in a parallel relationship and are pivotally supported on theframe 12. The secondary track assembly 16 also includes a secondarytrack control system 20 which operates to move the first and secondsecondary tracks 18 a, 18 b along respective paths of travel havingequal and opposite vertical components of motion while maintaining themin a parallel relationship.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device 10 better illustrating thesecondary track control system. As will be seen from FIG. 2, the systemincludes a pair of rocker arms 24 a, 24 b which engage and support thesecondary tracks 18 a, 18 b. The rocker arms 24 a, 24 b and associatedtracks 18 a, 18 b are pivotally supported on the frame 12 by a shaft 26.The control system further includes a flywheel 22 and associated crankarm 28; and as will be seen, this system allows the tracks 18 a, 18 b toreciprocate in a primarily vertical direction of travel. Although theflywheel 22 is not essential to the operation of the device, it has beenfound that inclusion of a flywheel can smooth and stabilize the motionof the device and enhance its exercise value. Likewise, a variableresistance device such as a friction brake or an electromagnetic brakemay be included in the device as is known in the art. It will beunderstood that the overall path of travel of the tracks will have avery slight curvature owing to the geometry of this particularimplementation; however, the vertical component of the motion ispredominant and hence this motion is referred to as having a primarilyvertical component as is shown by arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown further features of the exercisedevice 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The FIG. 3 illustration does not depict theframe or details of the secondary track control system. This is forpurposes of clarity, although it is to be understood that these elementswill be included in this embodiment. The FIG. 3 device does show a trackassembly 14 of the primary guide as well as a secondary track 18 of thesecondary guide. Further shown in FIG. 3 is a foot link 30, it beingunderstood that an apparatus of this type will include a pair of suchfoot links. Foot links are typically fabricated from a durable body ofmaterial such as wood or metal and include a foot pad portion 32configured to support a user's foot thereupon.

In this embodiment, the foot link 30 also includes a first roller 34 anda second roller 36. The first roller 34 engages a bottom surface of thesecondary track 18, while the second roller 36 engages a top surface ofthe primary track 14. Other track and roller configurations may beimplemented. As will be appreciated from the figure, the two rollers 34and 36 cooperate with the tracks 14 and 18 and the frame (not shown) tosupport the foot link 32 so that when a user's foot is placed on thefoot pad 32, the foot link will be stable. As will be seen, the trackand roller arrangement allows for the foot link to move back and forthalong a reciprocating path of travel having a primarily horizontalcomponent of motion, as shown by arrow B. It will be appreciated fromFIG. 3 that as the secondary track 18 moves in the vertical directionshown by arrow A, the component of vertical motion thereof is alsotransferred to the respective foot link 30 via the first roller 34 so asto pivot the foot link about the second roller 36 thereby verticallydisplacing the foot pad 32 a along a path of travel having a verticalcomponent of motion. In this manner, vertical foot motion will beachieved; and given the fact that the secondary track controller (20 inFIG. 1 and FIG. 2) synchronizes the motion of the secondary tracks, themotion of the foot pads 32 a in a vertical direction will likewise besynchronized so as to be equal and opposite. It will be appreciated fromthe figure that the vertical motion of the foot as shown by arrow A andthe fore and aft, horizontal motion of the foot as shown by arrow B aremechanically decoupled and hence independent of one another. Thus,through the use of the device of this invention, a user mayindependently control the vertical and horizontal components of footmotion.

In keeping with a further feature of the present invention, the fore andaft, generally horizontal, motion of the foot links 30 may besynchronized by a foot link control system which causes the foot linksto move in equal and opposite directions along the primary trackassembly 14. This may be accomplished through various mechanicalarrangements as is known in the art. As is specifically shown in FIG. 3,control of the foot link motion is achieved by the use of a pair ofswing arms, and one swing arm 40 is shown herein as being mechanicallycoupled to the foot link 30. It is to be understood that a second swingarm will likewise couple to a second foot link. In this embodiment theswing arms 40 are pivotally supported by the frame and mechanicallycoupled together through a geared joint 42 which is of a “differential”configuration and which provides equal and opposite motion of the twoswing arms. Coupled swing arms of this type are shown, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 7,794,362 the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference. The FIG. 3 embodiment also includes a handgrip portion 44which projects from the swing arm and may be gripped by a user so as toprovide for upper body exercise. It is to be noted that in thisembodiment, the inclusion of swing arms is optional, and synchronizationof the foot links may be achieved through other means or dispensed with.Also, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art, the FIG. 3embodiment, like the other embodiments shown herein, may include aflywheel and/or resistance device in mechanical communication with thefoot links.

The present invention may be implemented in yet other embodiments, andone such alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.Specifically shown therein is a partial view of an exercise device 50showing specific features thereof. FIG. 4A is a side view of portions ofthe device, and as will be seen, it includes a frame 12 and primarytrack guide assembly 14 as generally described with regard to theprevious embodiment. Further shown in FIG. 4A is a secondary guideassembly 52 as operative to move associated secondary tracks 18 a, 18 bin a generally vertical direction. In this regard, the tracks 18 a, 18 bare supported by a pair of crankshafts 54 a, 54 b which are supported bythe frame 12. The crankshaft 54 b is also rotatably coupled to aflywheel 56 by a drive wheel 58 operating through a drive belt 60. FIG.4B is a top plan view of the device 50 showing the secondary guideassembly 52. As will be seen from the figures, rotation of thecrankshafts 54 a, 54 b displaces the guides 18 a, 18 b along a path oftravel having a substantially vertical component of motion as shown byarrow A. As in the previous embodiment, foot links are mechanicallyengaged with the secondary tracks 18 a, 18 b so that verticaldisplacement of the tracks 18 a, 18 b reciprocates the foot pad portionof the associated foot links in a vertical direction.

Yet another embodiment of exercise device of the present invention isshown at reference numeral 70 in FIG. 5. This embodiment is generallysimilar to the embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 3, except that is of an“inverted” structure. In that regard, the relative positions of theprimary guide and secondary guide are reversed. Specifically, the deviceof FIG. 5 includes a frame 12, shown partially cut away herein forpurposes of clarity. The device 70 of FIG. 5 includes a primary guideassembly 14 having a track portion thereof suspended from the frame 12in a spaced apart relationship with the floor. The secondary guideassembly includes vertically displaceable tracks 18 a, 18 b aspreviously described, and these tracks may be reciprocated in asubstantially vertical path of travel, as shown by arrows A, by acontrol system which may be similar to that shown with regard to theembodiment 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the embodiment 50 of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

The device 70 of FIG. 5 further includes a first and a second foot link30 a, 30 b, and each foot link includes a foot pad portion 32 a, 32 b aspreviously described. As in the FIG. 3 embodiment, the foot links haveswing arms associated therewith; and will be seen in FIG. 5, swing arm40 b is associated with foot link 30 b. A corresponding swing arm isassociated with foot link 30 a; however, it is hidden from view behindswing arm 40 b. As mentioned with regard to the FIG. 3 embodiment, theswing arms 40 are not essential to this embodiment but their inclusiondoes provide for upper body exercise and can serve to synchronize themotion of the foot links.

In the FIG. 5 embodiment 70, a first roller 34 b is disposed at a frontend of the foot link 30 b and it engages the first guide track member14. A corresponding first roller is associated with foot link 30 a butis not visible in this drawing. A second roller 36 b associated with thefoot link 30 b engages the secondary track 18 b while a correspondingsecond roller 36 a associated with the first foot link 30 a engages thesecondary track 18 a. As in the previous embodiments, this combinationof tracks and rollers provides for a fore-aft, generally horizontal pathof travel B of the foot links 30 and their associated foot pads 32.

In the various embodiments of FIGS. 1-5, the primary guide includes oneor more tracks 14, and the secondary guide includes two tracks 18 a and18 b. As will be seen from these figures, the primary tracks 14 arestraight tracks and are in a generally parallel relationship with thesecondary tracks 18 a and 18 b which are also generally straight. It hasbeen found that this parallel relationship assures that the fore-aftmotion of the foot pads 32, has a primarily horizontal component. Anequivalent motion may be achieved through the use of geometricallycorresponding curved tracks as will be discussed herinbelow. Thisparallel and/or geometrically corresponding relationship is notessential to the operation of the devices of the present invention, andmay be deviated from in some other embodiments so as to modify the footaction in the for-aft direction by adding some vertical componentthereto, while still allowing the user to independently augment, orsubtract from the net vertical motion of the foot pads 32.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, there is shown yet another embodiment 80 ofexercise device in accord with the present invention. In thisembodiment, the primary guide does not include any type of track memberbut is comprised of a pair of swing arms 40 of which one arm 40 b isshown herein, the other arm being disposed there behind. The swing arms40 support their respective foot links 30 a, 30 b at a front endthereof, and reciprocation of the swing arms 40 moves these front endsin a reciprocal, slightly curved path of travel as shown by arrow B,which path of travel has a substantially horizontal component of motion.The second ends of each foot link are supported by curved track members18 a, 18 b associated with a secondary guide assembly. As in theprevious embodiments, these tracks are reciprocated along asubstantially vertical path of travel as shown by arrow A by a controlsystem, not shown. It is to be understood that this control system willtypically be supported by the frame 12 of the exercise device and may bein accord with secondary control systems previously described or othersecondary control systems as may be apparent to those of skill in theart.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, there is shown another embodiment 90 ofexercise device of the present invention. This embodiment correspondsgenerally to the embodiment of FIG. 6A insofar as the primary guideassembly is constituted by swing arms, such as swing arm 40 b; however,the structure of the FIG. 6B device 90 is “inverted” with respect tothat of FIG. 6A. Specifically, the secondary guide assembly is moved tothe front of the device so that the curved tracks 18 a, 18 b thereof areengaged by first rollers 34 a, 34 b associated with corresponding footlinks 30 a, 30 b. The geometry of the FIG. 6B embodiment 90, like thatof the FIG. 6A embodiment 80, provides for independent horizontal andvertical motion of the user's feet.

In embodiments of the type, shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the secondarytracks 18 a, 18 b are preferably curved and in the depicted embodiments,the curvature of these tracks 18 a, 18 b corresponds, geometrically, tothe curved path of travel B of the front ends of the foot links 30 a, 30b. The geometrically corresponding paths of travel need not becongruent; but, they will have the same overall shape and curvature eventhough their sizes may differ. By maintaining such correspondingcurvatures, the fore-aft motion of the foot pads 32 a, 32 b and a user'sfoot associated therewith is generally horizontal as is the case when asystem of guides based wholly on tracks is utilized as discussed withregard to FIGS. 1-5 above. And, it should be noted that in view of theteaching of FIGS. 1-5, it will be apparent to one of skill in the artthat the tracks of the FIGS. 6A and 6B embodiments need not correspondgeometrically and/or be curved.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is shown yet another embodiment100 of exercise device in accord with the present invention. In thisembodiment, the primary guide assembly includes a track member 14 whichas previously described may be a single or a double track. In thisembodiment, the secondary guide assembly provides vertical motion to thefoot links 30 a, 30 b by means of associated swing arms 40 a, 40 bcoupled thereto.

FIG. 7B shows a front view of a portion of the device 100 illustratingswing arms 40 a, 40 b which are coupled to a rocker arm 102 byball-and-socket connectors 104 a, 104 b, although it is to be understoodthat other types of universal joint couplings may be similarly employed.The rocker arm 102 is pivotally supported on the frame 12, and isreciprocated by a flywheel 20/crank arm 28 arrangement coupled thereto.As will be seen, reciprocation of the rocker arm 102 will cause theassociated swing arms in to reciprocate along a path of travel having asignificant vertical component of motion as shown by arrow A.

Referring back to FIG. 7A, it will be seen that reciprocation of theswing arms 40 in the vertical direction of arrow A raises and lowers thefront end of the foot link 30. The foot link 30 is in turn supported onthe track 14 by a roller 32 so that the vertical reciprocation of thefront end of the foot link 30 causes the associated foot pad 32 tolikewise move in a reciprocal, vertical path A. It will be further seenfrom FIG. 7A that the foot link 30 is also capable of moving along thetrack 14 so as to provide substantially horizontal motion to the user'sfoot.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the track 14 is curved, and inspecific embodiments, the curvature of the track may correspondgeometrically to an arc defined by the pivotal connection of the swingarm 40 to the foot link 30. And, as with regard to the previousembodiments, other arrangements, such as the use of a straight track, ora non-geometrically corresponding track may be alternatively employed.

In all of the embodiments of the present invention, vertical andhorizontal components of foot motion are mechanically decoupled, andFIG. 8 illustrates some paths of foor travel which can be achieved as aresult of that decoupling. For example, a user may employ an exercisedevice of the present invention so as to move his or her foot in a pathof travel which is substantially vertical, as is shown by arrow A inFIG. 8, without necessarily moving his or her foot in a substantiallyhorizontal path of travel, as is shown by arrow B in FIG. 8. Likewise,horizontal motion may be implemented without utilizing any verticalmotion. Through the use of the devices of the present invention, it isalso possible to generate a foot action which is a blend of thehorizontal and vertical components as further shown in FIG. 8 by arrowsC, D, E and F.

The fact that the vertical and horizontal components of foot motion aremechanically decoupled also allows for a user to make changes to thefoot path while the device is in use. For example, in a typical exerciseregimen, a user may initially elect to employ a strictly vertical, upand down foot motion akin to that achieved by the use of a stair stepperdevice. Subsequently the user may add a horizontal component of motionso as to elongate the stride, eventually achieving an elliptical path.The user may then decrease the vertical component so as to implement astrictly horizontal motion akin to that achieved through a cross countryskiing simulator.

The present invention may be implemented in a number of otherembodiments which will be apparent to those of skill in the art in viewof the teaching presented herein. The foregoing drawings, discussion,and description are illustrative of specific embodiments of theinvention but are not meant to be limitations upon the practice thereof.It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define thescope of the invention.

1. An adaptive exercise device comprising: a frame configured to besupported on a floor; a primary guide assembly; a secondary guideassembly; a first and second foot link, each foot link having a foot padportion configured to receive a user's foot, each of said foot linksbeing disposed so as to engage said primary guide assembly, which isconfigured and operable to direct the foot pad portions of said footlinks along a first path of travel having a horizontal component ofmotion, each of said foot links being further disposed so as to engagesaid secondary guide assembly, which is configured and operable todirect the foot pad portions of said foot links along a second path oftravel having a vertical component of motion, wherein the motion of saidfoot pads along said first path of travel is mechanically independent ofthe motion of said foot pads along said second path of travel.
 2. Theexercise device of claim 1, wherein said primary guide assembly includesat least one primary track which is configured and operative to engageand direct said first and second foot links along said first path oftravel.
 3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein said primary guideassembly includes two primary tracks, each primary track beingconfigured to engage a respective one of said foot links.
 4. Theexercise device of claim 2, wherein when said device is supported on ahorizontal surface, said at least one primary track is inclined relativeto said horizontal surface.
 5. The exercise device of claim 1, whereinsaid primary guide assembly includes a first and a second swing armwhich are pivotally supported by said frame, each swing arm beingengaged in mechanical communication with a respective one of said footlinks, wherein said swing arms at least partially support theirrespective foot links as they move along said first path of travel. 6.The exercise device of claim 5, wherein each swing arm is pivotallycoupled to its respective foot link at a connection point, whereby whensaid foot links move along said first path of travel, said connectionpoints define an arc; and wherein said secondary guide assembly includesfirst and second secondary guide tracks which each engage a respectiveone of said foot links, and wherein said secondary tracks are curved sothat the curvature of said secondary tracks corresponds geometrically tothe curvature of the arc defined by said connection points.
 7. Theexercise device of claim 5, wherein said swing arms are pivotallysupported on said frame so that a first end of said pivot arms cantravel in a reciprocal path relative to said frame, said first andsecond pivot arms being mechanically coupled together so that thereciprocal path of travel of said first swing arm is equal and oppositeto the reciprocal path of travel of said second swing arm.
 8. Theexercise device of claim 1, wherein said foot links engage the primaryguide assembly and/or the secondary guide assembly via a roller.
 9. Theexercise device of claim 1, further including a flywheel and/or avariable resistance device in mechanical communication with said footlinks.
 10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein said flywheel and/orvariable resistance device is in mechanical communication with said footlinks via said primary guide assembly.
 11. The exercise device of claim9, wherein said flywheel and/or variable resistance device is inmechanical communication with said foot links via said secondary guideassembly.
 12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said secondaryguide assembly includes a first and a second secondary track disposed ina parallel relationship with one another, and a control system operativeto move said first and second secondary tracks along respective paths oftravel having equal and opposite vertical components of motion whilemaintaining said secondary tracks in a parallel relationship; whereinsaid foot links each engage a respective one of said first and secondsecondary tracks so as to be displaceable along the length thereofwherein when said secondary control system moves said secondary tracksalong their respective paths of travel having said vertical component ofmotion, said vertical component of motion is communicated to arespective foot link so as to move said foot pad portion along saidsecond path of travel having said vertical component of motion.
 13. Theexercise device of claim 1, wherein said secondary guide assemblyincludes a first and a second swing arm, said swing arms each beingcoupled to a respective one of said foot links, said secondary guideassembly further including a control system which is operative to movesaid first and second swing arms along respective paths of travel havingequal and opposite vertical components of motion wherein when saidsecondary control system moves said swing arms along their respectivepaths of travel having said vertical component of motion, said verticalcomponent of motion is communicated to a respective foot link so as tomove said foot pad portion along said second path of travel.
 14. Amethod of exercising comprising the use of the exercise device of claim1.